Mixing valve



F5112, 1932. w. E. FOSTER 1,343,390

MIXING VALVE Filed Nov. 23, 1927 To Tub I N VENTOR.

W E.Fos13er,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Feb. 2, 1932 PATENT oFFIi WILLIAM E. rosrnn, or nnw nnnronn,MASSACHUSETTS j MIXING VALVE 1 Application filed November'23, 1927.Serial No; 235,209.

The invention relates to improvements in mixing valves, such as are usedin bathroom faucets particularly, although it is variously applicable,as will be understood, and the object of the invention is to provide anew and simple construction in a mixing valve adapted to modulate thetemperature of'water discharged by varying, as desired, the proportionof hot and Goldwater supplied to the valve from respective sources; andat the same time additionally control the volume or force of waterdischarged, by novel means.

The appliance has particular utility in a bath-tub faucet on whichshower or other spray attachments are used, and is also useful as avalve for a permanently installed shower, or needle-sprays of variouskinds, attachable or permanent.

The appliance meets the need for a means of regulating the source of'thejet projected from a shower device, which is difficult with many of themixing devices available without interfering with the temperatureadjustment. My appliance will also be found useful on kitchen sinkfaucets where spray attachments are used for washing dishes.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention reside in theconstruction,

arrangement and combination of parts, as

Figure 1 of the drawings is an elevational view of a faucet'constructedin accordance with my invention,

' Figure-2 1s a top view thereof. 7 Figure 3 1s a vertical crosssectional view of the valve.

There is illustrated a valve case having a central taperedbore'extending from right to left, receiving a plug valve 38 on which ahandle 17 is provided at the large right hand yond a short distance,this projected portion being'threaded and receiving a cap-32 screwedthereon and fixed onthe plug. The cap encloses and confines a spring 33against the end of the case, by which the plug is yieldingly drawn to agood seat in the case. The 7 cap may include a packing recess and glandaround the stem'22, as shown. 7

The case is 7 formed with four centrally located circumferentiallyspaced ports 41-42-4344 respectively. Ports 41 and 42 arediametrically-opposite each other and connected to respective'cold andhot water conduit branches 13 of the case, whileports 43 and 44 aresimilarly. located with respect to each other on a line at right anglesto that-of the ports 4142. From port 44 a downward discharge spout isformed on the case, while from the'port, 43 a conduit branch is formedon the upper side of the case between the branches 13, this third branchbeing adapted to'be connected to a shower outlet, forwhich' I purpose itis intended.

The distancebetweenthe ports of the case is in each instanceapproximately twice the width of the ports. 1 The plug 38 is'tubular andformed with three ports, numbered 35, 36 and 37 respectively,circumferentially spaced in 'ar plane with the ports of the case. The

distance between the ports 35 and 36 is ap- 1 proximately degrees, andis such that with V the port 35 alined with cold water. port 41 ofthecase, the port'36 willextend'clockwise beyond the port 43 of the case,the side of the port 36 toward port35 being advanced similarlyabouthalfway across the port 43 in a clockwise direction, as shown'in' Figure3. The port 36 is considerably wider than the port 35, while port 37 isof the same width as port 35;- The distance between ports 37 and Y 35 isgreater than that between ports 35, and 36, so that whenthe ports 35 and36 are in the positions last named with respect to ports 41 and 43 ofthe case, port 44 will becovered and port 37 located a distance counterclock- I wise from port 44 equal to, the opening of the port 43.Consequently, in clockwise rotation of the plug from thisposition, sprayport 43 willtbe closed when tub-port 44 isopened.

The distance between ports 36 and 37 is suf- T ficiently great to closeport 42 during movement of the plug for a short distance more thansufficient to open the port 44 as last mentioned, but on furthermovement port 42 will be opened while port 41 is open substantially.lVith the ports positioned as in Figure 3, port 8'7 is immediatelyadjacent port 42, so that counter clockwise rotation of the plug willbegin admission of hot water while ports 35 and 41 are still insubstantial lap position. On counter clockwise movement of the pluguntil port 42 is closed, the material at the opposite side of the plugwill. also close port 41, so that both hot and cold water are shut oil.

The interior of the plug is cylindrical and smoothly finished, and haslongitudinally slidable and rotatable therein a reciprocating valve 18,adapted to be projected longitudi nally over the ports of the plug orwithdrawn from the ports. This valve 18 is operated by means of'anintegrally or otherwise connected screw stem 22 which has threadedengagement in the cap 32 and is rotated by means of a handle 34. v

Operation of the handle 1? secures adjustment of the temperatures offlowing water as desired, after which, by operation of the handle 34 thequantity and force of the jets or streams ejected is determined.

The construction shown enables location of the temperature controllinghandle at an extreme opposite side of the appliance from the handle bywhich the volume is controlled, and permits manipulation of one withoutliability of casual operation of the other, yet permitting simultaneousoperation of the two very conveniently, when thatis desired.

With the parts in the position shown in full lines, it will be seen thatcold water will be admitted to the port 43, and continued movement ofthe plug counter clockwise will finally admit hot water from the port42, a cutting oil" of col-d water beginning as soon as opening of theplug port 37 occurs. The port 36 of the plug will remain in lap relationto the port 34 throughout this full move ment. The plug is rotatable tobring the port 36 at the opposite side of the device from that shown, inwhich event operation for supply of water to the port 44 may be securedwith heat-modulating function, in accordance with the operation abovedescribed in relation to port 43.

It will be seen that an extremely simple construction of valve isprovided, having various advantages desired in such appliances, liablein a minimum degree to derangement by wear or rough usage, its operationbeing readily understood by persons without expert knowledge, and thedevice is readily adapted to permit readily replacement of parts whenrequired.

The valve is adapted to use to divert water from the ordinary bath tuboutlet and to modulate the temperature and volume for each of theseoutlets, by the simplest opera tions. It is an advantage that when adesirable temperature of water is ascertained for the bath outlet,positioning of the handle 17 at a diametrically opposite position willgive the same condition for the spray outlet. It thus involves threefunctions 1, temperature regulation 2, separate volume control, and 3,selective delivery at difierent points, by the use of the same two valvemembers I claim:

A mixing valve for the purposes described consisting of a case, atubular plug movable therein extending beyond both ends of the case,said plug and case having ports adapted to lap variously for variablemixing of two liquids admitted through respective ports of the case andfor discharge of the mixture, a valve longitudinally movable in the plugto limit flow of liquid through the ports of the plug, said plug beingconical, and open at its smaller end, a cap threaded on and closing thesmall end of the plug,a spring confined between the cap and case, saidvalve in the plug having a stem movable in and projecting through thecap, the plug having a handle at its large end, and a handle on thestem.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature.

WILLIAM E. FOSTER.

